The Carnal Mind
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Galatians 5:16-18; Romans 8:5-8
We have an inner conflict shown in Gal 5. Both God and Satan have an interest in this inner conflict – in fact, in one way or another, they are in it from the outset, and each seeks to gain control.
God, in His wisdom, has granted each one of us the right to “have his say”. However each life turns out, it will ultimately be determined by personal choices made by the individual.
In the very nature of things, we are closer to and more intimately involved in things of the earth – and achieving the proper spiritual state of mind is more difficult than submitting to these earthly influences. A term that God uses to describe this failing is “the CARNAL mind”.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
What Is the Carnal Mind?
What Is the Carnal Mind?
“Carnal” in our text comes from a term meaning “flesh”.
The word has to do with our physical nature.
It is used in our reference texts in contrast with being “spiritually minded”.
It is used to denote “mere human nature, the lower side of man as apart from the divine influence, and therefore estranged from God and prone to sin; whatever in the soul is weak and tends toward ungodliness” (G. H. Trever, ISBE, “Carnal”)
To the carnal mind, earthly concerns dominate.
Phil 3:19 – “...who set their mind on earthly things”
whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
“Those whose heart is set on earthly things, or who live to obtain them. Their attention is directed toward honor, gain, or pleasure, and their chief anxiety is that they may gain these objects.” (Barnes, on Phil 3:19)
It is worthwhile to point out that the concern is with BEING ANXIOUS TO GAIN these things, not the mere acquisition of them.
Even in the course of making one’s main object the service to God, it is possible to have some earthly gain or pleasure – but this must not be our AMBITION, and it cannot occupy the major part of our thinking and action.
The carnal mind is what we constantly fight.
According to Gal 5:13ff, there is a constant striving between the “spirit” and the “flesh”, or between the “carnal” and the “spiritual” aspects of man.
The consequence of the battle is pointed out in that the “carnal mind” CANNOT PLEASE GOD.
What Contributes to the Carnal Mind?
What Contributes to the Carnal Mind?
Misunderstanding the process of conversion.
We are saved by God’s grace, not our own works.
But grace does not mean things are easy.
We can expect more and earlier from God than He promises – we think “salvation” at baptism = leniency throughout life
Divine approval is based on CHANGED life.
“Spiritual birth does not bring about spiritual maturity, any more than physical birth brings about adulthood!”
Misdirecting our life’s focus.
–Misdirection in the focus of life. (“mind earthly things”)
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
“WORLD” vs. “KINGDOM”
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Misplaced emphasis on:
the use of abilities.
heart, soul, mind, and STRENGTH – ALL for God!
the presence of pain, difficulty, and trial (designed for improvement – Jas 1; 2 Cor 12)
the impact of “Christianity” upon self (“it is NOT all about me”)
Misapplying the principles of social and spiritual action and interaction.
Often men “agree with God” as to the principles which lead to a productive life, but will still view them with a “carnal mind”.
So, the principles of “sharing”, edification, longsuffering, patience are actually viewed as optional, not to be extensively applied, and subject to easy modification under stress and significant consequences.
Ex. God requires us to be longsuffering and submissive toward others, enduring wrong and practicing noble love toward all.
The “other worldly” view understands that such a spirit will place one at a great disadvantage toward those who “use” people, who think wholly of “self”, and have “flexible” ideas of justice and fairness.
It will call for great emotional and even material sacrifice to maintain, and is basically unilateral, to be practiced even if not reciprocated.
The carnally minded “Christian” will have a measure of this, but requires some sign of “goodness”, or good will on the part of those we help to move us to this “giving” spirit.
“I don’t have to submit to them if they are using me.”
We Share the Battle against the Carnal Mind.
We Share the Battle against the Carnal Mind.
We all struggle against the carnal mind with varying degrees of experience.
The “carnal mind” is more prevalent among us that we might think, and all of us struggle to totally eliminate it. The reality that different people come to different levels of spirituality differently – both as to time and degree.
For some, even a number of years in the kingdom does not eliminate the carnal mind:
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
We can identify the carnal mind.
For the carnal mind, following Christ is not dominant.
In such, there is a measure of the spirit, and a measure of the flesh.
While there are some spiritual leanings, there is still much of the world, and “earthly things” still matter a great deal.
Often such people live lives where personal and private prayer is infrequent, earthly pleasures are of great significance, and sought without giving immediate consideration as to what God would want us to do.
Truly spiritual Christians begin and close each day with prayer, and resort to it often every day.
Every life decision is made based upon one’s best understanding of what God would want.
The joy of being a Christian is constantly seen, and a willingness to live the separated life shines through.
The carnal mind desires salvation, but has little desire to develop beyond the initial stage.
Freedom from punishment is the beginning and end of the interest for the carnal mind.
Many have little concept of what joys should fill the believer’s life, and those what are before him at its close.
Such people are not fully developed in the heart, and remain subject to the “heart diseases” which inflicts those not in the kingdom.
These are lacking in spiritual judgment and wisdom, prone to be temperamental, full of evil surmisings, unstable and lacking in the moral and spiritual foundation which guides the one with a spiritual mind.
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
The carnal mind is the source of many problems in local churches.
The seed of institutionalism is the “carnal mind”.
Carnal interests (big buildings, fancy programs, notable preachers, etc.) dominate, and the simple appeal of gospel truth is minimized in favor of them.
These favor short sermons, external performance, crowd-pleasing services, persuasive and dramatic teachers, etc.
Such people want the demand for truth to be tempered by its effect on the community and “prospects”.
The Solution to the Carnal Mind is the Spiritual Mind.
The Solution to the Carnal Mind is the Spiritual Mind.
Being spiritually minded is life and peace!
It involves “spiritual understanding”
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
It grows constantly through “grace and knowledge”
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
It bears the “fruit of the spirit”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Develop the spiritual mind!
Enrich the mind with proper thinking – Ps 1:1-3; Phil 4:8
Set the mind on the sacred – Phil 3:1-3
Draw near to God – Heb 10:19-22
Store the mind with scripture – Ps 119:11
Be persistent in prayer – 1 Thess 5:17-18
Sing spiritual songs – James 5:13; Eph 5:19
Magnify the soul; minimize the body – 2 Cor 4:16
Be careful to maintain good works – 1 Cor 15:58; Titus 2:14; 3:1
Learn from the trials of life – James 1:1-12